I would like to do a very short tour where I leave in the morning, bike 50 to 60 miles camp overnight at a campground and head back home. I don't know if I will go it alone or find a friend who will also be up for the adventure. I do have a question for those who tour who are married and have a child. How supportive have your spouses been when you have done a tour? I suppose it would really be no different than going on a hunting or fishing trip with your buddies for a few days right? There is no way my wife will attempt a tour so do not suggest it.

My wife doesn't ride, but is very understanding with my touring. One thign that helps is turning a tour into an opportunity for an overnight getaway; we've set things up twice so she meets me at a hotel where I'll be riding through on a tour.

Meeting your wife in the middle of a tour gives you serious incentive to get to the hotel...

My partner is very supportive. If your wife can't tolerate you taking a break for one night/weekend then... well, I wouldn't trade places with you.

This all depends doesn`t it? Is it possible for her to do her things also or is she just sitting at home waiting for the husband to get back and start planning his next trip?

One man said he collected "points" around the family (he made up the system, not his wife). When he had "collected enough points" doing things with / for his family he could spend some of his points on a fishing trip or something that he wanted to do.

Some peopel starts a family and then almost at once starts complaining about how the family is holding hem back, like the family is just there so they do not have to be alone.

Some peopel start a family becouse they want to be with the family and enjoy the company and do not feel much need for alone time.

If you marry somebody who do not want to ride (or fish or climb or..) then you should know what you did. Same for her of course.

I like the solution with her driving to the hotel. Maybe she could bring a bike and you could go for a short ride together? Pick a beautiful place, eat a nice lunch together.

To make my son want to ride I do this. Drive to a beautiful or exiting place. Nice food (or at least an icecream after a long hill). If lucky you could get the "hmm, not so bad" response

I am pretty sure she will be supportive. She has hinted for me to take a guy type fishing trip. Xcapekey, thanks for the link to your blog. I followed the link to "S240's" and that sounds exactly what I want to do. With my career, schedule, and obligations, they are probably all I can do for now. Can anyone suggest a cheap small and light tent? I am jealous of you guys who have spouses who will tour. My wife is not into camping or the outdoors anymore. About 10 years ago we did camp in November in Nebraska and woke up to 3 inches of snow outside the tent. To me those situations are still appealing.

Make sure that if you take a friend, that the friend is male. Just sayin.

__________________"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey

Joe, whereabouts were you thinking of going? Indian Cave SRA is going to become awesome in a few weeks here when Autumn starts to set in. So too will Wabaunsee (sp?) State Park over in southwest Iowa. One of the things I have really grown to appreciate about SE Nebraska is the proximity of a variety of camping locations. Sure, there's no nice mountains, or beaches, or whatever, but there is a great deal of heritage, if one just knows where to look. Not to mention a *huge* sky at night!

As for your spouse, there's a good chance she would appreciate having a day to herself as well. Is there any way you folks could get someone to babysit so she could have a simultaneous "day off"?

Joe, whereabouts were you thinking of going? Indian Cave SRA is going to become awesome in a few weeks here when Autumn starts to set in. So too will Wabaunsee (sp?) State Park over in southwest Iowa. One of the things I have really grown to appreciate about SE Nebraska is the proximity of a variety of camping locations. Sure, there's no nice mountains, or beaches, or whatever, but there is a great deal of heritage, if one just knows where to look. Not to mention a *huge* sky at night!

As for your spouse, there's a good chance she would appreciate having a day to herself as well. Is there any way you folks could get someone to babysit so she could have a simultaneous "day off"?

As far as my legs can peddle me and some gear in a day. I want the trip to begin and end from my driveway. I hate the idea of begining bike rides by strapping my bike to my car. I have camped at Indian Caves and it was awesome. My wife and I camped with another couple and the entrance was so overrun with deer we almost couldn't get into the park. I wished I had brought a camera it was unbelievable. The deer acted like we were invading their park (well we technically were). I don't know how easily I could reach Indian Cave in a day or if I could. This weekend I am going to first locate all Nebraska campgrounds in a 60 mile radius. We really don't use a baby sitter with the exception of day care during the work week. I suppose we could lean on my son's two aunts for some baby sitting time.

Oh, quick question. Which bike of mine would be better suited to all road traveling? My Trek 7200 has thinner 28mm road tires, so it is kind of "fast" for a hybrid bike. The Jamis is of course faster, but not as comfy or forgiving with bumps and road conditions.

I would like to do a very short tour where I leave in the morning, bike 50 to 60 miles camp overnight at a campground and head back home. I don't know if I will go it alone or find a friend who will also be up for the adventure. I do have a question for those who tour who are married and have a child. How supportive have your spouses been when you have done a tour? I suppose it would really be no different than going on a hunting or fishing trip with your buddies for a few days right? There is no way my wife will attempt a tour so do not suggest it.

You just summed up my little dilemma. My wife isn't a rider, so won't want to tour, I work full-time and am a grad student. We have a three year old and a six month old, so I'm very much needed at home. Right now the idea of riding off for 6 weeks, coming home with tales to tell, sun-tanned and skinny is pure fantasy.

I plan to keep sane by doing S24O's. It sounds like a great way to taste the freedom of touring and to test your gear out before the big push.

I do overnights occasionally. There is a great campground 80 miles from my place. I leave early enough where I arrive before noon. It is popular for people touring the California coast so I meet a lot of bike tourers there. It is a lot of fun and very easy to schedule and plan. I have woken up on a Saturday morning and just decided to go before.

As far as how the wife will handle it, as jsmithepa said above, you would know best. I know in my situation, my wife doesn't like me very much so she encourages it. Just kidding,,,sorta

There are a lot of hardcore, long distance cyco-tourists on this board, and you'll get a lot of great advice.

But honestly, there's nothing wrong a quick out and back bike trip. Your Trek 7200 will work fine. I'd spend money on quality camping gear if you can afford it. It's something you can use for years to come (with your son) Most guys need some *outside* time. Go have fun!

My wife has always been supportive of my craziness, so I guess I am lucky. If you can't manage an overnight trip once in a while you need to consider how to fix your marital situation. Personally, if I can't get away for at least a week I'd just as soon do day rides and skip the camping. S24O's always sounded a bit like camping in the back yard, but if you have destinations nearby that interest you it might be fun.